Mr. Joseph Charles Hauf III

September 28, 1929 - December 28, 2020

Joseph C. Hauf III Joseph Charles Hauf III passed on December 28th, after a heroic struggle with COVID 19. Born in 1929, a native of Baltimore, he attended Loyola High School Blakefield and graduated from Loyola College in Baltimore, Class of 1950. Upon graduation he served in the Signal Corps of the United States Army Reserves, Ft. Holabird, MD, before embarking on a lengthy career at Western Electric's Baltimore works, eventually advancing to become an engineering supervisor. After retiring from Lucent Technologies, Western Electric's successor company, he co-founded VIDA Technologies, a computer and telephony cabling company, securing military and commercial high speed wiring projects, most notable of which was the communications and computer rewiring of Dover Air Force Base. In his final career, he was employed as a court-admitted freelance insurance company consultant, investigating fire claims involving electrical and communications wiring. Upon retirement he enjoyed life, with many friends, at Oak Crest Senior Living Community in Parkville, MD. Joe, or Buddy, as he was known to some contemporaries, enjoyed boating on the Chesapeake Bay for many years, scratch building boat models, and running a craft business, Harbor Place, often appearing at flea markets throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. He was also an avid reader of history and enjoyed following current events, as well as spending time with children, grandchildren, and friends. He met everyone in life with a ready smile and caring heart. Joe particularly enjoyed the challenges and joys of helping to raise a family of six, but he also made time to volunteer his efforts and skills to organizations as diverse as the Boy Scouts of America and various Catholic churches in the area, the later organizations benefitting from his wiring skills, both with computing and enhancements for the hearing impaired. He was never one to say "no" to any charitable or family request. In point of fact, there was never any project he could not undertake, always demonstrating a high level of insight and natural electrical and mechanical aptitude. He was truly a jack of all trade and there seemed to be nothing he could not repair. We are grateful that he embodied the spirit of a long life, well-lived. Joe was preceded in death by his long-time wife, Betty Ann (nee Baltzell), a native of Baltimore, in 2000, and second wife Margaret (nee Stripling), also a native of Baltimore, in 2013. He is survived by daughter Mary Deborah, Berlin MD, son Michael, Waverly Hall GA, son Paul, Voorhees NJ, son Stephen, Santa Rosa CA, son Thomas, Syracuse NY, and son Richard, Palm Harbor, FL, as well as sisters Lucylle M. Bisese and Mitzi H. Sotir, both of Baltimore. He is further survived by eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Given these extraordinary times, and the limitations imposed during the current pandemic, the family regrets there will be no viewing at the Mitchell-Wiedefeld, or public funeral service. The family expects to have a graveside memorial service in the Spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, it is respectfully suggested that contributions be made to either Loyola High School Blakefield or Loyola University in his honor.